Lennon Letter Reaches Singer Tilston 34 Years Later

A British folk singer was stunned to find Beatles legend John Lennon had written him a private letter advising him on how to handle success - because he only found out about the note after a collector contacted him 34 years later.

Steve Tilston was a 21-year-old aspiring singer/songwriter when he gave an interview to ZigZag magazine in 1971, explaining how he feared he would lose his creativity if he became rich and successful. The interview touched a nerve with millionaire superstar Lennon, who penned a letter to Tilston telling him a person doesn't change just because they have more money - before sending it to the reporter at the publication's offices.

But the first time Tilston became aware of the correspondence was when an American collector called him to check the letter's authenticity. The now 60 year old says, "It was so frustrating because Lennon even included his home phone number on the top of the letter. I know it's silly but I wanted to ring him up across the ages. I felt rather angry to start with to think that someone had just sold the letter rather than passing it on to me, but you have to let these things go."

The letter, which was signed "Love John and Yoko", is estimated to be worth $11,000. (MJ/WNWCAG/CL)